Street-indicator for railway-cars.



No. 709,236. Patnted Sept. I6, I902.

- c. E. MORGAN.

STREET INDICATOB FUR RAILWAY CARS.

' (Applicatio 2.

filed Jan. 14, 190

3 Sheets-Shae I.

(No modal.)

No. 709,236. Patented Sept. l6, I902.- 0. E. MORGAN. STREET INDICATORFUR RAILWAY CARS.

(Application filed Jgn. 14. 1902.)

(N9 Model.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

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Patented Sept. I6, I902.

0. E. MORGAN. STREET INDICATOR FO R RAILWAY CARS.

(Application filed Jan. 14, 1902.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

awe/Roz CIA/016mb i=5: I 6 TM 7 a 5 While the essential andcharacteristic fea- 5 shaft of said spring and one of the spools de-PATENT OFFICE.

onARLEs MORGAN, or PORTLAND,

OREGON, ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO AUTOMATIC STREETINDICATOR COMPANY, A

CORPORATION.

STREET-INDICATOR FOR RAILWAY-CARS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 709,236, datedSeptember 16, 1902.

Application filed January 14, 1902. Serial No. 89,684- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that LOHARLES E; MORGAN, a citizenof the U nited States,residing at Portland, in the county of Multnomahand State of 5()regon,have invented certain newand useful Improvements inStreet-indicators for Railway-Cars; and [do hereby declare the followingto be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such aswill enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make anduse the same.

This invention aims to improve and enhance the value of indicators forpublic conveyances and to increase their efficiency, whereby they arerendered more desirable and a valuableacquisition to the travelingpublic.

The invention has for its object a novel construction for admitting theremoval of the name-strip and its supporting-frame from the case for anypurpose, a spring for rewinding the name-strip upon the return trip ofthe car or conveyance, actuating and detent mechan isms cooperating withthe name-strip and rewinding-spring, and a peculiar arrangement of theparts whereby the name-strip can be adjusted at any time to properlyindicate the points en route. i

For afull description of theinvention and the merits thereof and also toacquire a knowledge of the details of construction of the means foreffecting the result reference is to be had to the following descriptionand drawings hereto attached.

tures of theinvention are susceptible of modification, still thepreferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, in which t Figure 1 is a perspective view of an indicatorembodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the framesupporting the name and advertising strips, the rewindingspring, and thetrain of gearing between the tached from the case. Fig. 3 is an end viewwith the inner end of the case removed. Fig. 4 is a detail frontelevation showing the case in section. Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectiontaken on a line intermediate of the upper and lower R0 rolls. Fig. 6 isa detail end View of the actuating mechanism. Fig.7 is a front view ofthe same. Fig. Sis a view similar to Fig.6, showing the yieldable end ofthe trip released from a tooth and the ratchet-wheel held by the pawl.Fig. 9 is a view of the parts shown in Fig. 8 moved to a posit-ion so asto release the trip from the ratchet-wheel.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the followingdescription and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the samereference characters.

The working parts of the indicator are suitably housed or incased forprotection, and the case (indicated at 1) may be of any design 05 orfinish according to the caprice of the manufacturer. The indicator wheninstalled will be prominently located, so as to be observable from everypart of the car,vehicle, or conveyance. Access is bad to the interior ofthe case by means of a door 2, which is locked to prevent unauthorizedparties from tampering with the actuating mechanism. Anobservation-opening 3 is formed in the front of the case to admit ofviewing the name or matter to be displayed.

A frame 4 is removably fitted within the case 2 and supports the stripsor webs provided with the names and matter to be displayed. This frameis shiftable within the case to admit of throwing the gearing out ofmesh when it is required to adjust the name strips or webs, springs 5being provided to hold the frame in a normal position and the gearing inmeshing relation. exert a pressure against one end of the frame 4 andare located between proximal ends of the case and frame. The frame maybeof any construction best adapted for the purpose and, as shown, is ofskeleton construc- 90 tion, being composed of a plurality of barsarranged in the manner substantially as shown and rigidly corfuected attheir overlapping ends.

Shafts 6, 7, and 8 are journaled in end bars 9;, of the frame 4 and havea parallel arrangement. The shafts 6 and 8 are provided with a middleand end spools for reception of the These springs either of therailway-car or other public con- I veyance having a prescribed route.

The operating partsand names of the streets are so disposed that thenames will appear in suca cessive order opposite the observation-opening3 as the streets, stations, or points to be, designated are approached.The strips or webs 12 are of an endless construction and are supportedby means of the end spools 13 of the upper and lower shafts. Thesestrips 12 bear advertising or'other matter to be displayed and aredesignated as advertisingstrips to distinguish them from the namestrip9. The end'portions of the observationopening 3 are enlarged to admit ofproper display of the ad vertising matter. understood in this connectionthat independent observation-openings may be provided for the severalstrips and that one or more advertising-strips may be employed asdesired. Rollers 14 are located above and below the opening 3, withtheir outer elements close to the inner sideof the glass protecting thesaid opening and hold the name-strip 9 close to said glass or opening,so as to insure a proper display of the names as they come in positionfor observation. These guiderollers 14 are journaled to frames 15,extended forward from the ends of the frame 4. The

shaft-7 is connected with the shaft 6 by a train of gearingsubstantially as shown, and a coilspring 16 connects the said shaft 7with a part of the frame 4 and is wound up as the name-strip 9 isunwound from the spool 10 and Wound upon the spool 11. This takes placewhen the car or vehicle is traveling from the beginning, to the terminusof the route, the spring 16 unwinding and serving to rewind thename-stripupon the spool 10 during thereturn of the conveyance, as willappear more fully hereinafter. To prevent any recoil of the spring 16when the frame 4 is removed from the case, a detent mechanism isprovided and consists of a ratchetwheel 17, secured to the shaft 8, anda pawl 18, arranged for cooperation with the teeth of said ratcheewheel.The shaft 8 is ext-ended and its 'outer end is made angular to enter anopening of corresponding shape in the stem 19 of a hand-wheel 20,journaled in an opening in an end of the case 1 and by means of whichthe name-strip is adjusted or set to correspond with the streets orpoints to be designated. A gear-Wheel 21 is secured to the extended endof the. shaft 8 and is in mesh with the actuating mechanism when theparts are properly assembled. The actuating mechanism is fixed withreference to the case and is located at one end thereof and comprises ashaft 22, a bevel-gear 23, secured to the up- Itisto be per end of theshaft 22, a shaft 24, parallel with the, shafts 6, 7, and 8, abevel-gear 25,

secured to the'shaft 24 and in mesh with the bevel-gear 23, a shaft 26,parallel with and spaced from the shaft 24, a. gear-wheel 27, se-

cured to the shaft 26 and in mesh with the gear-Wheel 21, and a ratchetand trip mechanism between the shafts 24 and 26, consisting of aratchet-wheel 28, pawl 29, and an arm 30. The ratchet-wheel 28 issecured to the shaft 26 so as to rotate therewith, and the arm 30 issecured to the shaft 24 for rotation therewith. The arm 30 has a pin orlateral extension 31 and a pivoted end 32, which cooperates with theteeth of the ratchet-wheel 28 in a manner-presently to be explained. Thepivoted end 32 of the arm 30 has a limited movement and is held in thepath of the teeth of the ratchet-wheel 25 by means of a spring 33 of thecontractile type. "The pawl 29 is held in the ,path of the teeth of theratchet-Wheel 28 by means of. a retractile spring 34 and is providedwith a pivoted tailpiece 35, normally in the. path of the, pin orlateral extension 31. A spring 36,.conuected with thevpivoted tailpiece35, holds it within the path of the parts 31. The shaft 22 is connectedwith an axle or other rotating part of the car or conveyance by anyselected means and is continuously rotated when theoar or conveyance isin motion. This movement is transmitted to the shaft 24 by means of thebevel gear-wheels 23 and 25 and is transformed into an intermittentmotion with reference to .the shaft 26 by means of the trip 30, pawl 29,and ratchet-wheel 28. When the car or conveyance is on the out trip, theshaft 24 is rotated to the left, and at each revolution theratchet-wheel 28 is moved one tooth by contact of the pivoted end 32 ofthe arm 30 therewith. The movement imparted to the shaft 26 results inwinding the name-strip 9 upon the spool 11 and unwinding it from thespool 10, and effects a winding up of the spring 16 by means of thetrain of gearing between the shafts 6 and 7. The travel of the trip-arm30 from right to leftbrings the pin or lateral projection 31 in contactwith the pivoted tailpiece 35 of the pawl 29, and this tailpiece turnsupon its hinged connection with the pawl 29 without affecting the latterI and automatically clears itself of the said part 31 during thecontinued movement of the arm 30, when said pivoted tailpiece isreturned'to a normal position by the action ofthe spring 36. Onthereturn trip of the car or conveyance the shaft 24 is rotated in areverse direction, as will be readily understood, and when the pivotedend 32 of the trip-arm 30 comes in contact with a tooth of theratchetwheel 28 it will yield and pass thereby, and an instant later thepin or lateral extension 31 comes in contact with the tail piece of thepawl 29. and disengages the latter from the tooth of the ratchet-wheelwith which it is in engagement, thereby permitting the spring 16 to comeinto play and turn the shaft 6 so as to rewind time.

the name-stripthereon and unwind. it from the spool 11. After the pawl29' has been disengaged from a tooth of the ratchet'wheel the latterWillbeprevented from flying backward As the arm 30 continues to move tothe right the ratchet-wheel 28 will correspondingly move un til arrcsted by the action of the pawl 29 coming in contact with the nexttooth to that from whichit was previously disengaged. This operation isrepeated at each revolution of the trip-arm 30 from leftto right, theparts 29 and 32 alternatelyacting to prevent the ratchet-wheel 28 movingbut one teeth at a When the frame 4: and the parts carried thereby arein properposition within the case, the pawl lS'is disengaged from theteeth of the ratchet-wheel17, this being effected by.

means of a trip 37, attached to the case and coming in contact with anextension of the said pawl. When removingthe frame-4 from the case, thepawl 18 is withdrawn from contact with the trip 37 and is thrown. intoengagementwith a tooth of. the ratchet-wheel 17 by means of a spring3S,Whereby anyrecoil of the rewindingspring 16 is guarded against.

When it becomes necessary to adjust or reset thename-strip to properlyindicate the streetsor stations, the hand-wheel or button 20 is pressedupon and moves the frame within the case and disengages the gear-wheel21 y from the gear-wheel 27, thereby permitting the shaft 8 to be turnedeither ,forward or backward, as maybe required, to effect the properadjustment and setting of the indieating mechanism. The extension of thepawl 18 is such asto prevent disengagement thereof from the trip 37, soas not to interfere with the movement of the shaft 8 either forward orbackward. The button or hand-wheel 20 must be firmly grasped to preventrecoil of the springltj. After the indicator has been adjusted pressureis removed from the button to admit of the framebeing returned to anormal position by the action of the spring 5. When it is required toremove the frame 4 from the case for any desired purpose, it isnecessary to withdraw the button or part 20, soas to disengage it frotnthe shaft 8, after which the frame can be readily lifted from case.

.While movement is imparted to the shaft 22 by any rotating part, it ispreferred to derive motion from a traction-wheel 38, which is arrangedto travel upon a rail of the track or other suit-able portion of theroad-bed or surface over whicl the conveyance travels. Thistraction-wheel 38 may be rubber-faced to prevent slipping and is carriedby a pivoted arm 39, acted upon by a spring 40 for pressing thetraction-wheel in close contact with the surface from which motion isdegearing with a shaft carriedby the arm 39 and deriving movement fromthe traction'- wheel 38, and its opposite end is geared to the shaft 22.l

The operating partsand names of the streets are so disposed and repeatedthat the new street-names will appear in successive order and repeatedopposite the observation-opening3 as the streets, stations, or points tobe designated are approached. On long trips two of these sets of spoolsand two ribbons are used-one for the up trip and one for the down trip.I

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. In anindicator for street-cars and other public conveyances, a frameprovidedwith the indicating mechanism and mounted to receive a limited slidingmovement, actuating mechanism for imparting movement to the indicatingmechanism, and means for sliding the said frame to disengage theactuating mechanism from the indicating mechanism for a proper settingor adjusting of the latter, substantially as set forth.

2. In an indicator for street-cars and other public conveyances, anindicating mechanism mounted to receive a limited sliding movement,means for exerting a spring-pressure upon the indicating mechanism tohold it in a predetermined position, actuating mechanism normally inmesh with the indicating mechanism, and a button or like contrivance tobe operated by hand for sliding the indicating mechanism to throw it outof gear with the actuating mechanism and serving as a means foradjusting or setting the said. indicating mechanism, substantially asset forth.

In an indicator for street-cars and other public conveyances, indicatingmechanism, a rewindingspring in cooperative relation therewith, a detentmechanism for preventing recoil of the said spring, a trip normallyholding the detent mechanism out of action, an actuating mechanism, andmeans operated by hand for shifting the indicating mechanism andadmitting of proper adjustment thereof, the shifting of the indicatingmechanism throwing it out of meshing relation with the actuatingmechanism without permitting disengagement of the aforementioned detentmechanism from the trip cooperating therewith, substantially as setforth.

4:. In a street-indicator for the purposes specified, a case, a frameremovably fitted within the case and provided with the indicatingmechanism, a spring applied to said fratne for actuating the indicatingmechanism, a ratchet and pawl for preventing recoil of said spring whenthe frame is removed from the case, and a trip fixed within the case andadapted to disconnect the pawl from the ratchet and admit of freeoperation of the aforementioned spring when the frame is properlypositioned within the case, substantially as set forth.

5. In an indicator for street-railway cars IIO and public conveyances,the combination of indicating mechanism, a spring in cooperativerelation thereto to be wound upon travel of the car in one direction,and actuating mechanism for effecting movement of the indicatingmechanism and a winding up of the said spring and including aratchet-and-pawl and trip devices, said pawl and trip embodying movableparts for alternate cooperation with the ratchet-wheel to admit of abackward movement of the ratchet-wheel when the car is making a returntrip, substantially as set forth.

6. In an indicator of the character described, and in combination withthe indicating mechanism, anda coil-spring in cooperative relationtherewith for returning the parts to an initial position, actuatingmechanism including a ratchet-wheel, pawl and trip, whereby theindicating mechanism is intermittently operated, the pawl and triproaase tuating mechanism for positively operating the indicatingmechanism and adapted to control the unwinding of the aforementionedspring, said actuating mechanism including a ratchet-wheel, a pawlhaving a yieldable part, and a trip having a yieldable part forcooperation with the teeth of the ratchetwheel and provided with anextension for engagement with the yieldable part of the pawl,substantially as set forth.

8. In combination with indicating mechanism and a spring in cooperativerelation therewith, actuating mechanism comprising a ratchet-wheel, apawl having a spring-actuated pivoted tailpiece, a trip havingaspringactuated pivoted end piece for cooperation with the teeth of theratchet-wheel, and a projection extended from the said trip into thepath of the pivoted tailpiece of the aforementioned pawl, the partsbeing combined to effect positive actuation of the indicating mechanismand a winding of the spring upon the out trip of the car and adapted tocontrol the unwinding of the spring for intermittent operation of theindicating mechanism when the car is makinga return trip, substantiallyas specified. M

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES E. MORGAN. Witnesses:

A. T. LEWIS, NELLE HIOKEY.

